Campuzano Equestrian

Awww, fun memory.... I've gotta get Robert some riding time again!

I had an assistant while teaching lessons with Gold Country Horsemasters this weekend.

Merry wishes to you all. Celebrations look different this year, but I'm thankful for you all and wish you love and light.Merry wishes to you all. Celebrations look different this year, but I'm thankful for you all and wish you love and light.

We are approaching the darkest day of what has been a challenging year. But Nature shows us year in and year out that though the days grow short and the nights grow long, it turns around again. The Winter Solstice tomorrow, marks the longest night of the year in our journey around the sun. Then the days will begin getting longer and warmer. Before I turn my sight to brighter seasons I want to reflect and thank you for this year. From the flexibility of changing schedules ar...ound Zoom meetings and distance learning to the adventures of trying online lessons and online schooling show, we all kept moving towards our goals. By gratitude for what we have or grit not to lose what keeps us sane, everyone dug deep for goals and accomplished much in the process. From rehabbing horses, to finishing 50-milers, moving up a level, or getting that long sought harmony, I’ve felt blessed to be a part of helping each of you reach goals you’d set. I’m truly grateful for each of you and your horses. Please share in the comments something you accomplished with your horse this year and a goal for the upcoming year. Add a photo too. We love to see your horses and give them a nose boop!

I got a Pivo!! Time to ride

Wow! This is so cool.

Phoenix and I had similar feelings about the heat this morning even at 8am. Here's some hot weather tips to help cope. Ride early Walk a lot. The walk is a great gait for training. Do transitions from medium to free walk, walk to halt, medium/collected to extended. Turn on the forehand, turn on the haunches, and lateral work can all be done at the walk. Get your hair and shirt wet first... Electrolytes for horse and human Feed sloppy mashes Lots of cold fresh water to drink Play/Ride through a sprinkler What else do you do to cope with the heat?

Dressage consists of bringing out the natural gaits of the horse. There are two ways to do exercises: 1) The one that consists of forcing the horse to do them. 2) The one that consists of putting the horse first in the correct position and then giving him the maximum freedom to perform. Nuno Oliveira

This is a great piece from one of my former students.

Showing and training takes a village. I love being a part of helping riders and horses do better, and reach their goals.

Cute socks. Great cause!

A good share Lindsey Stroh Dressage!!!! on point!

Tomorrow we are THRILLED to feature @saddleupandread Saddle Up And Read is on a mission to encourage youth to achieve literary excellence... through equine activities. In 2017, founder Caitlin Gooch @theblackcowgirl noticed the literacy rates in North Carolina were low. Caitlin acted immediately by creating an incentive with a local library. As a prize for reading, kids got to spend a day at her father's horse farm. The only requirement was for children to check out 3 or more books from the library. The success of that program led to Saddle Up And Read (SUAR)! In April 2019, SUAR became established as a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. "Horses connect people and get kids excited. Why not use that energy to encourage kids to read?" Says Caitlin. With the help of the community and supporters around the country, SUAR has created a library of books which feature Black equestrians, which is SO IMPORTANT because all children need to see themselves in the books they read. There will be featured posts about the program throughout the day, a live chat AND Caitlin will take over our stories! DM Caitlin @theblackcowgirl to learn how you can get involved or donate. Double tap if you books and horses! See more

Black Lives Matter

Dear friends, During this tough time I want to continue to be there for you. I can't tell you how much I miss giving you lessons, seeing you and your horses in person. Like you, I'm feeing the loss of some of our shows and events. The indefinite postponement of goals feels like a major let down. I feel that with you and am hoping they materialize sometime this year. For now, I'm working to keep connected with you, supporting your progress and adjusting to meet your needs as ...best I can. Our horse time is critical to our well being. Horses will be there with us through this moment in history just as they have through time. To keep serving you I have the following options that are ready to go or in the works. 1. Distance Coaching Calls - Set up a call time and we'll discuss issues, answer questions, develop a plan. I'll send you notes and written guide. We have a follow up call to discuss. $60 2. Video Review - you can send me a video file based on our call and I will edit/mock up the vid with audio and notations. additional $20 3. Skype Lessons - I'm still working on this idea and want some willing testers to try it out. $60 for the lesson 4. Learning Portal through my website. I've been making videos like crazy and typing up lesson guides to teach everything from ground work and unmounted exercises to ridden movements and aids. This will be subscription based and I'm hoping to launch in the next week. Please let me know if there is a way I can help you out. I'm here. I miss you and the horses. I also thank you tremendously for your understanding and continued support of my business and family at this time. Comment below to schedule a call, sign up for a Skype lesson, or to get on the email list for my subscription learning portal. Direct message is great too. :-)

I've been working on some videos for my YouTube channel. Here I'm giving tips on 3 quick groundwork exercises that will really help clarify a working language with your horse. Does your horse respond to you as softly as you wish? Or do you get ? Video link in the comments! Check it out and try the quick exercises.

Are you looking for a way to keep learning while riding on your own? Are you missing training ideas and getting questions answered? I can help! Introducing my DISTANCE COACHING. Here's what you get! * Pre-call questionnaire emailed * Coaching call to discuss the problem or question. ... * Notes and action plan based on the call emailed to you. * Follow-up call 1-week later. All that for $60 add in a video clip for my review and notes for an additional $20. Let's keep your progress going. Message me to sign up for a time. I'll be creating a calendar shortly! Comment below with any questions or a "Heck ya! Sign me up!"

Sandy Smyth-Reedy session 4 of her colt starting series.

UPDATE 3/23: Like everyone else, I'm doing my best to manage life in the face of the coronavirus. Last week I continued to teach lessons asking folks to keep to their trailers and arena. But, its clear to me that this is still too risky. The thought of going without an income right now is terrifying. We rely on what I bring in as much as we do my husband's job. I'm still paying for preschool and other providers to help keep the flow of money going to the family run businesse...s that are at the heart of our community. I'm working right now to create lessons, training plans, and video tutorials. (Given my modest tech and a very "wing-it" approach) I'll be posting links as I load things up. I'm also working on a way to do video coaching. But, what I'd love from you right now in this post is a list of questions. What are things you'd like to know more about? It can be broad, or nuanced. I'll do my best to find ways to answer those questions, teach what I know, and continue to serve you my clients and the equestrian community at large. So, what do you want to know more about?

COLT STARTING WORKSHOP SERIES WITH Sandy Smyth-Reedy I woke up this morning still buzzing from last night. We had a terrific time with the young horses! Thank you to all the auditors who came out and watched, listened, and learned. Sandy’s idea to host this series of sessions watching her take three young horses through the initial colt starting phase is a brilliant idea. She’s used three different horses with different body types and temperaments while using three different ...styles. The result is a TON of great information and a great sense of perspective on the many roads to Rome through listening to each individual horse. Last night we focused on concepts of balance and alignmenthelping young horses use their bodies in a better way to carry a rider. Some of the key takeaways from the session were: Watching the feet for tempo and rhythm as indicators of balance both emotionally and physically. Emotional balance can lead to physical balance, but that also works in reverse. Physical balance can improve emotional balance. Experimenting to meet the immediate needs of each horse. The difference between stable and unstable balance. Assessing the conformation to make educated guesses about what each young horse may need more help with. Our example horse has a long neck that is still weak overall and overdeveloped on the under-side so he would benefit from lunging in side-reins without a rider to develop a topline that can carry the demands of riding. Lunging/working on a square vs a circle to encourage the horse to shift weight back and free up the shoulder. Focusing on the alignment of the horse from poll to tail keeps the horse from ‘falling’ in or out and developing tension or bracing to cope with that lack of balance. The influence of the rider even in the initial rides to promote balance and understanding especially with regards to transitions when the horse doesn’t understand aids for go/whoa. We covered a LOT in a short time and like always there is so much more to share and teach. Even if your horse is older, they may be missing key ingredients in the foundation. If you came last night, what was your key takeaway? If you missed out, does our list above trigger a question? Ask away!

I can't wait to participate in this great event being put on by Sandy Smyth-Reedy. Come join us!

Isn't this true! I learned a long time ago that what you see in the show ring, or in the pretty pictures of a rider all decked out to the nines may not be backed up at all by what goes on in the barn or even "behind the barn." For far too many the horse is a commodity, not a part of the family. We always had a rule, and my kids have learned it now too---- animals before people. They eat first. We put their "jammies" on before we put on ours. It doesn't matter if you are tired or sick, we clean and care for them. And that work isn't glamorous, but it sure is rewarding.

Philipe getting some much needed body work with Choy Equine Sports Massage Therapy. Thanks, Cara!

Lesson time available @10am tomorrow. TEXT or PM to grab. 916.990.3190Lesson time available @10am tomorrow. TEXT or PM to grab. 916.990.3190

This is fun! Add yours in the comments.

Have to joined our group yet? Catch the discussion on today's "truth bomb". Community link in comments.Have to joined our group yet? Catch the discussion on today's "truth bomb". Community link in comments.

My philosophy in one sentence: Think of horsemanship as a science, but love it as an art.

Right after I created a new journal for tracking my fitness, I got an interesting request from an equestrian lifestyle blogger to take a look at it and try it out. Sure thing! She writes about it in her blog. Link in the comments. Oh, and the picture? A fitness tracker for equestrians that I created primarily for myself. But I'll link that too down below. It's available on Amazon.

This Superbowl commercial cracked me up. Any other Jason Mamoa fans?

It was a very busy and fun week of lessons here. We the Did you get to ride? Share a picture of you and your horse, or just your horse from this week. We love to see all the cute ponies.

Do you have your copy? It was easy to see that this student had prepared herself mentally for the lesson. The prior lesson's concepts were at the front of her mind and she was ready to go. We were able to progress into new material with less time in review. Reply in the comments and I'll send you a link to either the Dressage or Eventer Notebook. They are amazingly helpful.

This is the earliest picture I have of myself on a horse. I'm close to a year and a half old. I can already see the look on my face says, "I'm not getting off." What is your earliest memory or picture with a horse? Share it in the comments.

2019 was a year of big changes. I moved the horses to our own barn. We re-graded the arena, put in new footing, expanded horses in training.... and launched my notebooks! I've loved every bit of how that has allowed me to work with more horses and riders and have more riding time. For 2020, I'm committing to work ON my business too. Why? Because I have some big ideas to share my voice and bring more awesome stuff to you . So, here I am at the computer with my marketing coach.... (It's like having a personal trainer for your biz - except blog posts not squats) But, support and accountability matter. When it comes to riding, it can really move your progress to work ON your skills versus with them - like learning to focus in meditation vs trying to stay focused through a dressage test. How are you working on your riding and horsemanship this year? Tell me here, or if you want extra community and support join us here on FB. Link in the first comment.

I created a group for more in-depth discussions. Head on over and check out this latest post with a great challenge for assessing your seat and position challenges. Link is in the first comment.

This is a great animation to show why you want to follow the motion of the horse's head and neck in the walk. Notice the how the horse on the right has become hollow in the lumbar back because of a restricted non-allowing rein.

Can you hear this meme?

Some folks love New Year's Resolutions. I'm not one of them. But, I do love thinking about my mindset and what makes my own journey feel the most connected to my values as a horsewoman. So, I came up with this list of 10 Alternatives to Resolutions for Equestrians. Which of these resonate for you? Do you have any alternatives to resolutions to share that you like? Add them in a comment.

Looking for a last minute gift? Get one for yourself, tag a friend, and pass the info to your friends and family. Printable gift certificate with purchase.

"Riders should ask the horse to do things in harmony, and in the horse's time, because it is his body being borrowed for the athletic efforts. The mind of the r...ider can wait, and hold in check impatience and impertinence. The horse is a calendar; ask and wait. The horse will deliver when he is ready." - Charles de Kunffy, Ethics and Passions of Dressage p. 76 http://bit.ly/34MmYAP

OPENINGS AVAILABLE: Stability pad work for horses. Private sessions. Improves balance, tension release, body awareness, addresses stiff/hollow side ... and more. Riders can try exercises too for imbalance and trunk instability. Perfect rainy weather training. We have plenty of space in our covered barn. Cost and times in the comments.

Who are some of the amzaing people you have met because of horses? Tag them in the comments below. Let's make everyone know how thankful we are to them today. :-)

These women are an inspiration! Awesome!

Something similar for next week? Anyone remember our snowman at C in years past? Might be time to find a new judge for December.

Last minute opening for a lesson tomorrow at 11 at my barn. Message me or comment to get it.Last minute opening for a lesson tomorrow at 11 at my barn. Message me or comment to get it.

Enter for a chance to win a year of access Charles de Kunffy's classical horsemanship online salon.

Be sure to join the Notebook group. Lots of great lesson notes, patterns, and training ideas to be had.

TRAINING SPACE AVAILABLE - Jan 15 Space for one full training horse for dressage. 1212 stall, daily pasture turnout, lessons included. Message on FB or txt/call 916.990.3190 for more info.

Please read. And remember that if you also use a flash, check after the flash has been buckled. You should still be able to put two fingers under the top of the noseband along the bony part of the nose.

Tartar P-S "Le rassembler n'est autre chose que l'équilibre, dont le cavalier dispose à son gré. Pour équilibrer son cheval, il faut être écuyer dans toute l'ac...ception du mot, car le rassembler ne peut être obtenu que par des effets de tact, de finesse, de légèreté et d'ensemble résultant du juste emploi des aides." - Victor Franconi Tartar, cheval Pur-sang préféré de la Reine Victoria, J.W Archer 1839. British museum. See more

Okay folks. I've been working and developing a project for some time to help riders get the most out of their lessons, retain important information and make it simple to access that information later. Stay tuned. I'll be making a launch announcement some time this coming week!! Show me a smiley, thumbs up, or other fun emoji in the comments if you are excited to see what it is!

Thank you Stacie so much for all the hard work your putting into Jake. Just in two weeks you can see a difference!! Love love what I am seeing!! Can’t wait to see what the next two weeks brings!!Now the challenge is ME!! seeing if I can apply Saturday!!

Sounds like fun Post a list of 6 horse breeds, 5 of which you have ridden, and have friends guess what one you have never ridden. Friesian Mustang Peruvian Paso... Lipizzan Halflinger Morgan Guess away!

When you spend get new arena sand and the kids get home from school.

Oh, my goodness this mare was a blast to ride today. She's half-andalusian and wants to be someone's little show ring princess. Contact info and link to ad info in comments.

My friend Sandy Smyth-Reedy posted a video of her rainy day Spanish walk training. Ernst and I are sharing ours... and that his known vocabulary definitely includes the word "cookie."

"Nothing educates quite like a horse. Without losing the meaning by verbalizing abstractions, the horse silently sends his messages. The education prevails. His... rider must, and will listen. He will become better for it. For courage, wisdom born of insight and humility, empathy born of compassion and love, all can be bequeathed by a horse to his rider. The rider becomes the humble recipient of the bounty only his horse can give him. Character improves, virtues multiply, wisdom deepens by the riders association with his horse." - Charles de Kunffy, Ethics & Passions of Dressage p. 28 Fun fact: Did you know this is actually a statue of Charles?! It stands in Budapest, Hungary.

Diego trying out our new fitness studio! Hit like, and drop a comment if you are interested in getting the first notice and special rates on upcoming unmounted rider biomechanics and movement awareness workshops. Dates coming soon.

This is a very important exercise and should sound familiar to those of you that ride with me.